Tremors – The Wharfedale Remake

Should the residents of Ilkley be looking for solid rock to sit it out on?

Has anyone seen anything like this apart from in the film Tremors? The pictures show the football field at Denton Road in Ilkley, Yorkshire, yesterday. Across 4 acres of grass, burnt dry and brown, there are no cracks in the soil except along the football pitch markings. The photographs show this bizarre circumstance, with a bit part played by a bemused Kevin Bacon stand in.

Our team theory is that one or more of the following might be causing this. We welcome other contributions – scientific
or supernatural.

The line markings could be lime based and as such are causing excessive flocculation of and binding of the clay minerals.

The line markings are devoid of grass and therefore there is no root mesh along the line to distribute the contractions of the clay in the soil (our favourite).

The line markings are devoid of grass and the soils along the line are more exposed to the sun and higher temperatures. As such, they deferentially contract more than the surrounding soil.

It’s the Ilkley Sandworm which is preparing to take out the
lines man when the football season starts next week
(Kevin Bacon’s favourite).

Want to know more?

Comment below with your theories of what you think might be happening in Ilkley.

Ecology and environment training courses

Available as part of an open programme with scheduled dates throughout the year, we have several training course topics within our ecology and environment section which are delivered by tutors with years of practical experience. Illustrated by real life examples, the hands-on sessions allow you to gain practise and confidence in interpreting the material and methods covered.

We have significant expertise in designing and installing flow gauging stations, including modifications of existing gauging stations to facilitate fish passage (e.g. through retrofitting of baffles or adding a Larinier fish pass in compound with an existing gauging weir). We can advise on siting, choice of method/feasibility and design. We have also excellent working relationship with NIVUS GmbH, with whom we have worked closely in designing new transit time ultrasonic stations.

Strategic studies and network reviews

We have an impressive track record in relation to delivering strategic hydrometric studies:

From January 2007 to September 2010, we carried out an extensive national review of the hydrometric network in England and Wales on behalf of the Environment Agency. The work was undertaken in two phases: i) River Gauging Network, ii) Rainfall Gauging Network. As well as a comprehensive review of the existing network and assessment of requirements to meet future initiatives, software tools for and guidance on network management were developed.[1]

From September 2008 to June 2010 we carried out a strategic review of Hydro-Meteorological Monitoring networks operated by the Office of Public Works in Ireland. This involved the identification of the long-term strategic needs for flood-related hydrometric and meteorological data in Ireland, including strategic management requirements for effective data collection and provision of flood related information.

In 2012 we carried out a detailed review of the Hydrometric Network in Yorkshire and North East, whilst involved a review of drivers of the flow and level gauging network, quantification of benefits derived from the network and outline of possible network improvements, specification of gaps and redundancy in existing network and prioritisation for network improvements based on operational requirements.

In 2015 we delivered a detailed review of the hydrometric network operated by the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland. This included a detailed comparison of the hydrometric network in Ireland with those in Scotland, Wales and New Zealand.

We are currently (2018) helping Waterways Ireland to undertake an evaluation of their monitoring network.

All the data we collect and supply undergoes strict validation and data assurance processes before use/issue. We are also able to undertake independent validation or checks of third party data; a recent example being an independent review of the quality of hydrometric data collected by the Tweed Forum as part of their Eddleston Water Project.

Our team has been widely involved in defining procedures for data management and assessment of data quality, of which some of the higher-profile projects have included:

Development of Operational Instruction outlining how the HiFlows-UK flood peak database should be managed, and implementation of improvement measures including rating updates and evaluation (Environment Agency, 2014).

Reviews of the performance of the EA’s Tipping Bucket raingauge network, which included comparing accumulated rainfall from TBRs and their collocated storage raingauges and identifying reasons for any discrepancies in terms of calibration, site maintenance, under catch due to exposure, evaporation etc.

Development of a tipping bucket raingauge calibration procedure for the OPW.

Spot gauging service and rating curve development

We offer a spot gauging service using our own Valeport Model 801 Electromagnetic Open Channel Flow Meter, which we operate in accordance with BS EN ISO 748:2007 and which undergoes calibration every three years by the manufacturer. Recognising those situations where specialist equipment is needed we also have expertise with hired instrumentation including OTT’s QLiner, Sontek’s RiverSurveyor and FlowTracker devices and RD’s Stream Pro ADCP.

We have carried out flow gauging for Natural Resources Wales, Essex and Suffolk Water, National Trust and Irwell Rivers Trust, Aire Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency as well as private clients (e.g. in support of hydropower assessments, abstraction licence applications, internal drainage boards/water level management plans).

Our team is highly experienced in the development of new, and in the reviewing of existing Stage-Discharge and Velocity-Index ratings. We use our innovative in-house applications to aid hydrometric data review and analysis. To date we have derived over 100 new stage-discharge ratings on behalf of the Environment Agency. We also run training courses on the topic of extrapolation of high flow ratings and use of modelling to extend high flow rating limbs.

Training and support

We are expert trainers in hydrology (our team runs the foundation and advanced level training courses offered within the Environment Agency). We offer a range off-the-shelf courses covering theoretical and practical aspects of hydrological analysis but are equally able to provide tailored training based on real case studies and practical examples.

Experience of preparing 12 Water Cycle Studies since 2013, including several combined Water Cycle Study and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments

Open and easy to do business with, with a strong focus on innovation and customer service

We use a team of expert technical leads to provide oversight of the assessments of water infrastructure, water resources and water quality modelling

National coverage from 20 offices in the UK and Ireland.

Improving the management of water

Whilst the primary responsibility for delivering water and wastewater services lies with the water companies, Local Planning Authorities can use the planning system to promote solutions which contribute to improving the management of water and provide other benefits, including:

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) on new-builds and retrofit, including surface water disconnection for combined sewers to create capacity for development

Rainwater harvesting to reduce water demand in water-stressed areas.

Services we offer

Assess the present day and future capacity of the water resources, water supply, wastewater collection and treatment facilities

Identify how increase effluent discharges can be treated without causing detriment or preventing the receiving waster from achieving GES

identifying the responsibilities and timescales for implementing strategic infrastructure upgrades

Providing the evidence base for Local Plan policies on water efficiency, SuDS etc

Climate change analysis and adaptation.

Sustainability investigations

Investigation of impact of Habitats Directive and Water Framework sustainability reductions on water available for supply.

Aquator modelling to inform the impact of abstraction regimes on environmental indicators (e.g. lake water level, downstream river flow) and alternative water sources to support environmental impact assessments.

Assessment of the impact of sustainability reductions

Assessment and scenario modelling of water transfers (intra and intercompany).

Demand modelling and efficiency measures

Modelling of water demand under different scenarios including drought.

Quantification of the impact of drought measures on demand.

Drought planning and management

Development and review of drought triggers

Support for drought permit applications

Historic drought event characterisation

Drought frequency analysis and levels of service

Comparison of historic and extreme.

Climate change

Derivation of climate change inflow datasets for water resources models

Assessment of climate change impacts on available supply

Application of stochastic methods for climate change modelling.

Water resources modelling

Aquator model build and development

Application of Hysim, Mike BASIN, WRAPsim and iThink models

Deployable output assessment for water resource management plans

Investigating the deployable output benefits and utilisation of new sources.

Many development consents have archaeology and heritage related planning conditions. We have the expertise to specify mitigation measures and obtain local authority agreement to the proposals. We have experience of specifying watching briefs, strip, map and sample and open area excavations. We can also help you procure and manage specialist sub-contractors to implement the mitigation.

Evaluation and Survey

In line with the requirements of NPPF many development sites require pre-submission or pre-determination heritage surveys. We have extensive experience of negotiating with LPA Archaeological Advisers, specifying and designing evaluation surveys such as geophysical survey, evaluation excavation (trial trenching), LiDAR analysis and building surveys.

Conservation Management Planning and Heritage Partnership Agreements

Identifying measures for the long term management and development of heritage assets within a property portfolio can significantly reduce the amount of time spent negotiating consents and identifying heritage work specifications. They provide a framework within which long term sustainable management of the historic environment can be implemented.

Design Advice

The historic environment contributes to a sense of place. There are many opportunities for new developments to harness the historic environment to give a sense of identity and place to new developments and link them to the surrounding landscapes. We can provide advice at an early stage of the design process to enable these opportunities to be recognised and incorporated adding value to the development design.

Historic Landscapes and Assessment of Setting

The wider setting and context of heritage assets is a key consideration within the determination of many planning applications, particularly those for infrastructure projects or development within or close to sensitive areas such as World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas.

We have extensive experience of defining the setting and contribution this makes to the significance of heritage assets and assessing the effects of development on these settings.

These encompass the whole of the historic environment. They are designed to meet the requirements of NPPF and provide comprehensive assessment to meet the clients’ needs and reduce project risks from the outset.

Marc wanted to be part of an organisation with a strong set of values – more than words, one that supports and advances science and understanding to develop its staff and our wider professional community.